Nanize has developed PFAS-free polysilazane-based coating technologies to meet improved legal requirements to better protect the environment
For decades, PFAS chemistries have been used in industrial and consumer applications where water repellency, grease resistance, low friction and easy-clean performance are important. Increasing regulatory scrutiny and environmental concerns surrounding persistent PFAS substances are now encouraging manufacturers to evaluate alternative surface technologies.
For manufacturers, however, replacing an established coating chemistry involves more than removing a particular class of substances. Any alternative must satisfy the technical, processing, durability and economic requirements of the intended application.
Nanize has developed PFAS-free polysilazane-based coating technologies with these manufacturing requirements in mind.
Nanize’s solution focuses on polysilazane formulations and curing processes intended to produce durable, low-friction, anti-soiling and easy-clean surfaces while supporting practical manufacturing conditions.
The company has conducted extensive FTIR-based development and characterization work to study curing behavior, cross-linking and formulation performance. This testing program is being used to refine the chemistry and establish appropriate processing conditions for different substrates and applications.
Regulatory pressure surrounding PFAS continues to increase internationally
Within the European Union, PFAS substances are receiving increased regulatory attention through several legislative and regulatory initiatives, including restrictions affecting selected applications and the broader PFAS restriction proposal being evaluated under REACH.
In the United States, federal and state authorities have also introduced measures affecting specific PFAS uses, including applications involving food-contact materials.
The United Kingdom is considering additional measures through its evolving PFAS regulatory strategy, while restrictions already apply to several persistent organic pollutants.
Across Asia, regulatory approaches are also developing. Japan and China have introduced controls covering selected PFAS substances, while additional monitoring and risk-management requirements continue to emerge.
Middle Eastern markets are similarly increasing their attention to persistent organic pollutants and PFAS-related testing requirements, particularly in regulated sectors such as food, consumer products and industrial materials.
For manufacturers, this transition is therefore becoming both an environmental consideration and an engineering requirement
A successful alternative coating must provide appropriate adhesion, surface protection, curing characteristics and durability while remaining compatible with realistic production processes.
Nanize has developed its coating platform around these requirements. The technology is being evaluated for compatibility with established application approaches such as spraying, roll-to-roll processing and selected slot-die methods, depending on the substrate and manufacturing environment.
Development work includes applications involving metals, glass, polymers and selected flexible materials.
Rather than positioning one formulation as a universal replacement for every PFAS-containing coating, Nanize has developed its technology as a configurable surface platform that can be adapted to the requirements of individual applications.
Potential areas of development include cookware and bakeware, protective industrial surfaces, selected automotive components, electronics, renewable-energy equipment, architectural materials and other applications where low-friction, hydrophobic, anti-soiling or protective surface characteristics may provide value.
Each application presents different requirements for adhesion, thermal exposure, mechanical durability, surface energy and manufacturing compatibility. Nanize’s development approach is therefore focused on matching coating chemistry and process conditions to the requirements of the specific application.
As manufacturers evaluate alternatives to PFAS-containing surface treatments, Nanize believes polysilazane chemistry could provide another technically relevant option within the growing portfolio of PFAS-free coating technologies.
The objective is straightforward: provide manufacturers with a coating technology that can address important surface-performance requirements while supporting the transition toward PFAS-free materials.
